Sean Diddy Combs Sex Trafficking Racketeering Trial Begins New York

The federal trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, has attracted significant media and public attention, with crowds lining up outside the Manhattan courthouse for opening statements. The trial is not being televised due to federal procedural rules, so the public must rely on reports and sketches for updates. Opening statements included testimony from a former hotel security guard alleging that Combs physically assaulted ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and attempted to bribe him, with surveillance video shown to the jury supporting the claims. Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his defense asserts he is being unfairly targeted, although his legal team has agreed not to argue racial bias in court. The proceedings have become a focal point for celebrity trial coverage, with notable media presence and no major public demonstrations reported outside the courthouse. The case is further complicated by the use of pseudonyms for key witnesses to protect their identities and ongoing public debate regarding Combs's guilt or innocence.